CONFIRMED: Queensland To Issue Fines For Virus Rule Breaches

By Bradley Bell

29th March

Queensland Police will issue on the spot fines of more than $13,000 to anyone breaching updated social distancing measures or quarantine orders as the nation continues to battle the spread of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory leaders on Sunday agreed to further tighten the rule around indoor and outdoor public gatherings from 10 to two, except in certain circumstances.

The states and territories have been left to decide when the rules will be enforced.

In Queensland thus far, no more than 10 people – other than residents – will be allowed inside a home at any one time, with homeowners and occupiers now obliged to ensure they and visitors practice social distancing as much as possible.

Queensland Police now have powers to issue infringement notices for breaches of quarantine directions of up to $13,345 for individuals and $66,672 for businesses.

All passengers arriving on international flights in Queensland, who are returning home or passing through, will be held in local hotels for 14 days, under new quarantine measures that came into effect at midnight on Saturday.

Officers can also issue on the spot fines of $1334 for individuals and $6,672 for businesses that fail to abide by state health directions.

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“These compliance checks will continue around the clock to ensure members of the community abide by those notices,” it said.

No penalty infringement notices have been issued to individuals so far, and more than 3000 compliance visits to non-essential businesses have also detected no breaches.

On the weekend, a 75-year-old woman with coronavirus died in a Caboolture Hospital from COVID-19.

She was a passenger on the Ruby Princess cruise ship that docked in Sydney last week, and the third Queenslander to die from the virus.

A total of 31 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Queensland, bringing the state’s total to 656.